As someone in the green industry, you likely know of the strong connection between industry and agriculture education classrooms. Preparing students for the world of work is a tenet of agriculture education, and educators use the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (AFNR) standards to guide their instruction. Those standards were developed with industry input and are managed by The National Council for Agricultural Education. Each standard includes performance indicators, and each performance indicator includes measurements to help teachers realistically implement the standards.
The AFNR standards were last updated and validated by industry leaders in 2015, and much has changed in the industry since then. Our understanding of the skills and knowledge needed in each segment of industry comes from you, our industry partners. We want to make sure that any updates to the AFNR standards is grounded in the reality that you as industry leaders experience daily. To do that, we need your help.
The AFNR standards are divided into 9 career clusters. Below are the links to all the surveys listed by pathway. Please select which pathway that you are most comfortable reviewing. See the explanation of each career cluster at the end of this email.
We ask that you take this survey to provide your input on the standards connected to your career cluster. The survey is detailed, and it will take you approximately 30-45 minutes to complete. Within the survey, you will be asked to provide input on each standard, performance indicator and measurement associated with each career cluster. You will also have opportunities to tell us what additional topics should be accounted for in the standards. At the end of each survey, you will have the opportunity to enter your name in a drawing for a $100 gift card if you choose.
Agribusiness
Animal Systems
Biotechnology Systems
Environmental Service Systems
Food Products and Processing Systems
Natural Resource Systems
Plant Systems
Power, Structural and Technical Systems
Career Ready Practices and AFNR Cluster Skills
Please have your survey completed by Friday, October 14, 2022.
Please know that we don’t make this request lightly. We appreciate your ongoing support of the National FFA Organization and of agriculture education in general. Your input will be analyzed and used to develop focus groups with industry leaders at the 95th National FFA Convention and Expo. In the end, all the data collected will be shared with The National Council for Agricultural Education to guide any revisions to the standards.
Feel free to forward this email to others to complete this review as well. Thank you for your time and help in this process.
As stated above, below are the definitions to better help you determine which career cluster best aligns to your expertise.
Agribusiness (The study of agribusinesses and their management including, but not limited to, record keeping, budget management (cash and credit), business planning, and sales and marketing)
Animal Systems (The study of content areas such as life processes, health, nutrition, genetics, management and processing, as applied to small animals, aquaculture, exotic animals, livestock, dairy, horses and/or poultry)
Biotechnology Systems (Using data and scientific techniques to solve problems concerning living organisms with an emphasis on applications to agriculture, food and natural resource systems)
Environmental Service Systems (The study of systems, instruments and technology used to monitor and minimize the impact of human activity on environmental systems)
Food Products and Processing Systems (The study of food safety and sanitation; nutrition, biology, microbiology, chemistry and human behavior in local and global food systems; food selection and processing for storage, distribution and consumption; and the historical and current development of the food industry)
Natural Resource Systems (The management, protection, enhancement and improvement of soil, water, wildlife, forests and air as natural resources)
Plant Systems (The study of plant life cycles, classifications, functions, structures, reproduction, media and nutrients, as well as growth and cultural practices through the study of crops, turf grass, trees, shrubs and/or ornamental plants)
Power, Structural and Technical Systems (The study of agricultural equipment, power systems, alternative fuel sources and precision technology, as well as woodworking, metalworking, welding and project planning for agricultural structures)
Career Ready Practices and AFNR Cluster Skills (Fundamental skills and practices that all students should acquire to be career ready)
